Improvement in steam-pressure regulators



NATHANIEL C. LOCKE, OF

'rniggrrron SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN STEAM-PRESSURE REGULATORS.Y

. Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. RSSAQ., dated November 26, 1872.

To all whom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, NATHANIEL G. LooKE, of Salem, in the county of Essex and State of yMassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam-Pressure Regulators, and that the following description, `taken in connection with'the accompanying drawing hereinafter referred to, is a full and complete specication of the same.

. junction with the diaphragm of the regulator to maintain the desired steam pressure in the chamber, 8vo., wherein the steam is to be used.

Heretofore, this weight, while susceptible of adjustment to act with a greater or less force upon the diaphragm, was, after its adjustment, in fact, permanent in its actionthat is, it acted, to all intents and purposes, always with a fixed leverage or weight upon the diaphragm, whatever' might be the increase or decrease of steam pressure, either by generation, or consumption, or both, the weight or leverage being in the one case too heavy, and in the other too light to secure a perfect regulation of steam pressure.

The main object of this invention is to overcome the above disadvantage in the weight or leverage on the diaphragm to the regulator;

and for such purpose it consists in a leverage or weight upon the said diaphragm, so constructed and so arranged, or both so constructed .and so arranged that, in direct proportion to any increase or decrease of steam pressure,

the leverage or weight on the diaphragm will decrease or increase, and thus secure the de- .sired opening of the valve to maintain the desired steam pressure. In addition to the above, the invention consists of a balanced puppet-valve for steampressure regulators, divided into two or more parts, adapted,

eitherin themselves or by additional fastening devices, to be secured together and made one.v By this construction of valve a seat is `obtained for both of its heads, with the heads of equal diameter or area, or nearly so.

In the accompanying drawing my improvements in steam-pressure regulators are illustrated, Figure l being a side view of a steam-pressure regulator of the class to which this invention more particularly relates, with my improvements applied; Fig. 2, a transverse vertical section in plane of linefw w, Fig. l; 3, a central vertical section of puppetvalve 5 and Fig. 4, a horizontal section of same in plane of line y y, Fig. 3.

A in the drawing represents a couplinghaving four openings, B, C, D,'and E; two, B O,

in aline at right angles to the two D and E. Within this coupling A, at one side of the passage G through it, in a line with openings D E, is a wall, F, separating the passage of coupling between openings B C, so that one side of opening C communicates with the opening D, and its other and opposite side with the opening E. (See Fig. 2 of drawing.) Within the coupling-ch amber G, between openings D E, are parallel shoulders a and b, one, a, at one end ofthe wall F,and the other, b, at the other end thereof, and the two forming continuations of said wall across the chamber G. These shoulders each have a similar-sized circular opening, H, through them, which openings H are in the same axial line as the openings D E to coupling A. The shoulders a and b are the seats for a balanced puppet-valve, I, which, as shown in Fig. 2, is placed within coupling-chamber Gr to playin a line from seat a toseat b, and to come by one of its heads, o, against the face d of seat a, and by the other, f, against the corresponding face g of seat b. The heads c and f are of an equal diameter,

.which diameter, however, is larger than the diameter of seat-openings H. They are each beveled off, as shown ath, to secure a more perfect and steam-tight joint between them and their seats; and furthermore, the distance between them corresponds to that between their seats, so that both at the same timewill be similarlyv and equally opened or closed. Between the heads c and litho puppetvalve is made with longitudinal radial .steam-guiding wings, Z, four in number in the present instance, and under this` invention it is made in two transverse parts, K and L, with one of its headsc f to each part. `The parts K and L are adapted, the one, K, as a screw-bolt and the other, L, as a screw-nut to be attached to and detached from each other, the nut part L having arms m corresponding to wings of part K. l

This construction of the pu ppet-valve I is for the purpose of securing the location of a puppet-valve having heads of equal diameter or area, or nearly so, with a seat for both heads. This hitherto has not been accomplished, owing to the trouble in locating the valve, for the reason that with the heads of equal diameter, and made permanent and undetachable the one from the other, `as is obvious, it is impossible to pass the valve either by one end or the other through either one of its seat-openings, as must be done to properly locate the valve within its chamber. Making the valve, however, as described, enables the one part to be inserted irrespective of the other, and when within their chamber in their proper relative position to the seats to be screwed or connected together. In this connection it may be well to remark that with a long puppet-valve to properly locate it it is best that its two parts should be unequal in size, as one part must be passed to its chamber within the coupling A through the opening B in communica- `tion therewith and not blocked by the wall F.

The coupling A, constructed and provided with apuppet-valve as above described, forms the medium of communication between the steamboiler and the chamber or cylinder, &c., inwhich steam is to be used, and wherein it y Ais desired to maintain a steam-pressure below the pressure in steam-boiler; and, therefore, for such purpose it is located in a position such as shown in the drawing, and by a pipe at opening B connected to steam-generator, by a pipe at opening C to chamber, &c., in which thcsteam is to be used, and by a vertical pipe, M, at opening E, to a steam-pressure regulator of suitable construction, the opening D being closed by a screw stopper or cap, N. The steam in passing from the boiler passes through the chamber G, provided the valve I is opened both to the chamber,&c., in which it is to be used,.aud to the steam-pressure regulator.

O, the steam-pressure regulator, with which `the parts hereinabove and to be described are arranged; P, the pressure-chamber of regula- `tor 0, with which the pipe M from coupling "1 A communicates.

This chamber P is steamtight,and at one end has a flexible diaphragm, Q, that `is secured in any suitable manner about its edges from displacement, and under this invention, by and through a fixed central vertical stem, R, with aright-angular arm, S, both within the regulator-chamber P, it is connected t-o the lower end of a vertical stem, T,

to the puppet-valve. This valve-stemT passes` l through the steam-pipe M to regulator, and

through said stem T all depressions or elevations ofthe diaphragm are communicated direct to the valveI, proportionately lowering or raising the same. The stem R of diaphragm is guidedwit-hin a socket, U, of the bottom of regulater-chamber P. Outside of regulator-chamber P its diaphragm Q has a central vertical stem,V, passing `upward through a stationary guide,W. Through this stem Vthe diaphragm is loaded to maintain the pressure desiredin the cylinder, &c., wherein the steam is to be used, and under'this invention this weighting `of the diaphragm is accomplished as follows: X, a lever passing through the vertical slot, m, of diaphragm-stem V, and by one end hung to turn on a fulcrum, n, of fixed post Y, the other end being free to be weightedto giveto said lever an increased or decreased force on the diaphragm. Z, a clasp, adapted to be slid on lever X, and, to be fastened by set-screwp. This clasp Z has a flexible band, A, fastened by one end to it and by the other to the periphery of a drum or shaft, B2, hung in suitable bearings of standards, U2. The band A?, by turning the shaft B2, is rolled up thereonor uurolled therefrom, as the case may be. D2, a cam or eccentric wheel fixed to shaft B2, hereinbefore referred to. From the periphery of this cam-wheel D, through a flexible strap, line, or chain, E2, is suspended a weight, F2, or, as in weighing-scales, it may be a holder or rest, on which a weight or weights may be placed, as desired. Turning the shaft B2 theeccentric is turned, and according to the direction i of the turning of the shaft the flexible strap E2 is laid upon or allowed to swing o from the periphery of eccentric. The location-of the strap ou eccentric is such that pulling down i" on the strap will pull down the lever X resting, as described, on the diaphragnn'thus increasing the weight or leverage thereon, and that pulling the strap in the opposite direction the weight or leverage on diaphragm islessened. y e

An arrangement of parts such as aboveidescribed between lever X and weight Fz--iirst having properly adj usted them to the pressure desired to be maintained by applying a lighter or heavier weight, F2, or a series of weights, or by changing the position of slide Z on lever X, increasing or decreasing its length of leverage on diaphragm, or both-operates as follows: Whether by a decreased generation of steam in the boiler or by an increased consumption of steam in the c linder, &c., wherein it is to be used, or both, t e steam-pressureayithn the (cylinder, jge.,isre. l iiced, the steam-pressure on diap agni Qto regulator is proportionately reduced, leaving it free to be depressed by the weight or leverage which is on it, and the arrangement of this weight or leverage, as herein described, is such that as the diaphragm lowers or falls it increases in leverage; or weight, (the eccentric then turning in a direction to lengthen the arm of leverage of w` ht` i i on the shaft B2 and through it on leverX, thus it assists and hastens the depressi fall of the diaphragm, and,consequentlt `e opening of the valve I to the flow `of steam through it, establishing the desired steampressure in cylinder, &c.; andY whether by an increased generation of steam in the boiler or by'a decreased consumption of steam in thek cylinder, 8vo., wherein it is to be used, or both, the steam-pressure withinxthe cylinder, &c., is increased, the steam pressure on diaphragm to regulator is proportionately increased, raising or lifting it, as also the lever X, and through it turning the shaft B2 in a direction to decrease the arm of leverage of weight on said shaft; and, consequently, by thus decreasing its force or leverage against the diaphragm, assist yand hasten its lifting movement, and through it the closing of passage through valve for steam, whereby the flow of steam is proportionately reduced to bring the steam-pressure in cylinder, &c., to the required or desired amount. The form of the eccentric or cam D2 is such as at all points of leverage through it, upon the shaft B2 and thus upon the diaphragm Q, to cause a smooth, even, and regular change.

In lieu of suspending the weight F2 to a camperiphery, as described, it may be hung directly to an arm from the shaft, the same leverage effect being then produced, but not in so smooth and even manner.

In lieu of an adjustable clasp, Z, on lever X, it may be a fixed one, but to have it adjustable is desirable, as it enables a nicer adjustment of leverage to be made.

As the stem to valve.A I is arranged within the steampassage to regulator, no stuffingboxes are necessary, and yet a steam-tight movement of said stem is secured; also, by the arrangement and construction of the regulator herein described, the steam acts on the diaphragm through a column or body of Ywater, thus preventing deterioration of the diaphragm, as is obvious.

In lieu of a exible suspension for weight fromcam D2 and also connection between lever X and shaft B2, a rigid one in either one or both cases may be used; but it is best to have them both flexible, their operation and effect being more perfect, steady, reliable, and easy.

In lieu of making the puppet-valve in two transverse parts, as described in detail herein, it may be made in more than two parts; and in lieu of adapting them to be screwed the one on the other, as described, they may be constructed for being fastened together by independent fastening devices.

The arrangement of leverage scribed, or any equivalent therefor, in addition to being applied to the peculiar constructed and arranged steam-pressure regulator, herein described, may be applied to other forms of regulators; and therefore it is not intended to limit it to any one particular style or construction of steam-pressure regulator, it being intended to apply it to whatsoever steam-pressure regulator it is now or may be hereafter found adapted.

Having thus described my improvements in in steam-pressure regulators, I will state my claims as follows:

What I'claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with the diaphragm of a steam-pressure regulator, of a Weight so applied that the movement of the diaphragm produces a proportionate change of leverage, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. A shaft, B2, having cam D2, adapted to receive a wei ght, in combination with the lever X, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

3. The lever X, in combination with a shaft or axis, B2, when such shaft is connected to said lever by and through a pliable band, A2, substantially as described.

4. The Weight F2 or holder for a weight, in combination with a cam, when the weight F2 or holder is suspended from the cam D2 through a flexible line, E2, substantially as and for the purpose specilied.

5. The two parts K and L of the puppetvalveI, relatively constructed for attachment together, substantially as and for the purpose described.

6. The lever X, adjustable clasp Z, pliable band A2, and shaft B2, all connected and arranged together, substantially as described.

The above specification of my improvements in steam-pressure regulators signed by me this 21st day of December, A. D. 1871.

l NATHANIEL G. LOCKE.

Witnesses: y

EDWIN W. BROWN,

ALBERT W. BROWN.

herein de- 

